Vocabulary

rubbing in a vinegar, etc. dressing

sprinkling salt on a raw vegetable and rubbing it in

final stage; terminal stage

Tang period (China; 618-907); Tang era

potential heat; residual heat

Christian name; baptismal name

pearlite

perlite

disturbance of sleep; nuisance in the middle of the night

different in appearance but essentially the same in content; equal in skills or workmanship but different in style or artistic flavor; the same for all practical purposes

respecting the intentions or wishes of someone

sounding out the intentions or wishes of someone

grudge match

meagre sum of money

die; dice

minor local college; small-time university

punishment by formal warning; punishing someone by a reprimand

operation to win over someone by using a tactic of gentle persuasion

material life; material aspects of life

halting English; broken English

culture of the printed word; book culture

considering the pros and cons of; examining arguments for and against

invoking the coercive power of the state; calling upon the power of the state

court nobles and other courtiers allowed into the Imperial Palace

military expedition deep into enemy territory

military expedition deep into enemy territory

equal contest; close game; well-matched game; even match

spirit of defiance of the opposition party; anti-establishment mindset

pursuing one overriding objective while forsaking all the others

commonsense judgement

ominous place outside the human world; mysterious place where no human being lives; uninhabited area

backbench member (Parliament, Congress, Diet); backbencher; minor politician

(falling into a) continuous decline; being on the wane

safe journey

overcoming a difficulty; breaking through a barrier; clearing a hurdle

everything turning out fine; the whole thing being settled

act of ingratitude

show one's real ability; illustration of the distinctive character of (something)

comical pair; pair of buffoons

abduction and confinement (esp. unlawful)